CTC Kingshurst Academy Open Days

CTC Kingshurst Academy have an Outdoor Education and Adventure Centre (OEAC) on the campus. A part of this facility is a replica Great War Trench, named after local Victoria Cross winner Arthur Vickers.

The trench weekend signified the relaunch of the trench system, with the Birmingham Pals battalions being a primary focus of the weekend..

In addition to The Birmingham Pals there were displays relating to the area's involvement in the First World War, including displays relating to The Birmingham Pals by Dave Vaux and local author and historian Terry Carter, and a display by the West Midlands Fire Service,

In addition to manning the trench system and parade displays the Birmingham Pals also had living history displays relating to the kit and equipment of the British Infantry, a small arms display, a tunnelling and mine rescue display, the Paymaster tent, and a display of German kit and equipment.

The Academy has produced a short video of the weekend, which can be viewed on YouTube or by following this link.

Arthur Vickers VC (known as "Titch") was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1882. He served for six years until 1908, then re-enlisted a few days after the declaration of war in 1914. He was posted to France in 1915, and won the VC and the French Military Medal four months later for operations in Hulloch.

His citation reads "On 25th September 1915 during the Battle of Loos the 2nd Battalion (of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment) attacked at 6.30am. In the face of terrific fire, they reached the first line of trenches to find that the wire was not cut. Private Vickers, on his own initiative and with the utmost bravery, ran forward in front of his company and, standing up in broad daylight under heavy fire, cut two gaps in the wire."

His behaviour made a large contribution to the success of the action and resulted in the capture of 60 prisoners and the achievement of the objective. The fighting that day was so severe that after the attack the battalion could only muster 5 officers and 140 men - the others being killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

Arthur received his award from King George V at Buckingham Palace in 1916. He continued with the Regiment until he retired as a Sergeant in 1935. He then worked at Lucas, and was in the Home Guard during WW2. He died in 1944, aged 62, and is buried in Witton Cemetery in Birmingham.